City Receives Urban Forestry Recommendations

The City received a First Step Urban Forest Management Plan December 4, 2018 from a group that worked over ten months evaluating our current approach to tree management across the city and comparing it to other similar cities.

Los Angeles was compared to New York, San Francisco and Melbourne, Australia.

Among the reasons that these cities were selected included their recognition as leading urban forestry cities and their similarities to Los Angeles in various urban forestry issues and opportunities. For example, New York City faced significant urban forestry funding challenges that resulted in unique approaches; San Francisco’s urban forestry program was drastically reduced during the recession (2007–2009) and has since made creative changes to recover; and Melbourne faces similar climatic challenges and is focused on building a resilient urban forest to counter the changing climate.

The findings showed that Los Angeles trailed other cities in funding:

On a per-capita basis, Los Angeles is ranked last, with only $6.30 per person devoted to trees. New York City is close, but the amount is misleading due to the density of New York City’s population, which is on 50% less land area than Los Angeles. Even more telling, Los Angeles’ annual per-tree budget of approximately $27 is less than half of New York City’s and Melbourne’s $60 per tree, and one-third of the $78 per tree per year that San Francisco invests in its urban forest.

The report noted that urban forests are starting to be seen as assets on city budgets. Further, shoppers are willing to spend 9-12% more on goods, more time shopping, and will travel greater distances to shop in districts with high quality trees. Of course the report called out the benefits that trees bring in cleaning air, reducing urban heat island effect, reducing need for air conditioning, improving public health and mental health.

Recommendations start with prioritizing the urban forest with a tree inventory and management plan and hiring an urban forestry coordinator.